Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I was banded September 30. I am new to blogging but spent the last 2 hours reading many posts so I can get answers to the questions I have. Mostly it's about getting a fill. I am not sure How to tell if I need a fill. I am eating more than before now. I am exercising daily though. I feel hungry sooner now. I live in the US Virgin Islands and getting fill will require a trip. I was banded in Dominican Republic. I probably will be looking for a doctor in Puerto Rico which is closer. Can some one help with suggestions and am I really needing a fill right now?

Hi fellow bandsters (we call them bandits in the UK!). I was banded on 15th November 2008 at Healthier Weight Clinic in Manchester, UK, under surgeons Dr Favretti and Dr David Ashton. I have been keeping a daily blog (see address in signature) since 9th November of my experiences during the pre-op diet, surgery and now post-op. I started off weighing about 19 stone 7 pounds and am now 18 stone - a lot of weight loss in just three weeks but I know most of this is 'fluids' and related to a dramatic reduction in calories. I've only just found this forum and it looks fantastic - I have added it to my blog's list of useful 'web links'. I can't wait to start reading and contr…

Hi - I am new to Lapbandtalk.com. I am set to meet with dr. on January 15 at KUMED. I think I have decided on lap band and not gastric bypass. Any help along the way would be great.

Hi everyone. Im new to this site and i have had my lapband since 11/5/07. Pre-op weight 217 and now i weigh 176. This has been the hardest journey. I was given a big band so i didnt feel my fills until aug 2008. Now it seems i am feeling worse as the weeks go on. This month has been the worst. Since Thanksgiving i have been throwing up and very nausious. I can't even keep my head up. I take 1 bite of food and i am running to the bathroom to throw up. My body is filling up with some kind of slime that is really discusting. Anyone else deal with this. I dont know i sometimes regret doing this. Now i have been reading about slippage and i am wondering is that what is happeni…

Hello to everyone. My name is Dawn I'm in Indy and will be banded on 1/06/09. I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm really excited about this life changing experience. My Dr's office sent my paper work to insurance comp on the 30th of Oct and I was approved on the 4th of Nov. I was expecting to have to go through several hoops to get this approved but I didn't. I'm ready and very very excitedd. I have also stopped smoking which I'm also very proud of (thank God for Chantix) Look forward to meeting you all.

Hi all---I have two more appointments in first week of November and I think that I have met all of my presurgical requirements for insurance. Do you think I could get a surgery date during my appointment with the bariatric doc? I am a little nervous in the "not knowing stage" and wondering how long it took to actually get an appointment......I am in my fifth month of dietary waiting period---that is with documentation--I am planning my surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh......anyone else????? also....how do i get one of those weight loss progression things to show my weight loss? I started at 42 bmi, currently at 40---presurgery

Can anyyone give me the definitions of all the acronyms that are being used on this site? Some of them I just cant figure out. For instance, I know what PB means; PRODUCTIVE BURP. But what does DH stand for? Please someone let me know!!!!&*$##

Hello! I had my surgery Nov. 17th in Springfield, MO. I have already lost 10 pounds and am so excited about it! I am still in the liquid diet phase and trying to be "creative" with it. I know it will be worth it in the long run!

My surgery has finally been scheduled for Dec. 15th. I'm too excited:thumbup:. Any comments or question or any advice would be wonderful..

Has anyone out there ever had gastric bypass? If so, can you have the lap band after if you have gained some of the weight back. I had gastric 5 years ago and have since put on 40+ pounds and wanted to know what my chances of having this surgery would be. Any comments?

Hello everyone, I found this site yesterday totally by mistake. I enjoyed reading the posts from other lap band patients and realized that some of the issues I had was experienced by others. I had the band surgery done on June 30th 2008 and at that time I was weighing 310 lbs. This morning I weighed 280.6. I have to admit that I was hoping to have lost more weight by now. I have had three fills and it wasn't until the last one that I really started to feel a difference. I have small goals set for myself and now my goal is to be down to 270 by Christmas. I had a choice to have the band or the bypass and there are days I wish I had chosen the bypass. …

:thumbup:My journey so far-From the time I inquired to seeing my PCP, going to Dr. Oliak's seminar, seeing the Psych, and meeting with the dietician it's been a month. I am 5 days into waiting for PacifiCare to approve me meeting with Dr. Oliak (surgeon). :thumbup:

I've been reading this website for more than three years, and have never posted (sad, huh?). Both of my sisters are banded, and I am finally joining the banding world this coming Monday, Dec 1. I am thrilled.. and a little ready to be off the pre-op Optifast diet. (Happy Thanksgiving to me LOL) It's been a LONG journey getting here - my oldest sister couldn't get insurance to cover her band, so she borrowed the money and had it done in April of 2005. She got down to a size 4 - and was not so healthy looking, she was too thin. She has gained back about, I don't know, 20? 30? pounds now, and really looks a lot better. Her overall loss was 104 lbs, I believe. My m…

:thumbup:I had the surgery on Nov. 24 and am doing the liquid thing! Although there is no Fluid yet in my band, I definitely feel full after a small portion. I have lost and regained weight so many times over my 56 years on this planet, I lost track. But this time is different. My hunger won't get the best of me this time. I am feeling pretty bloated though, and was glad to read that the swelling will go down over the next 2 or 3 weeks. I return to work on Monday and will have to face wearing a bra and something around my waist. It feels good to be a loser! I have been reading postings for more than a month and it has been so helpful. Thanks everyone! MEM620

Hey, My name is Shanna. I'm a 32 year old wife and mom... and I got banded on Monday November 24th, 2008 by Dr. Daniel Jones at the Beth Israel Deconness Hospital in Boston, MA. I'm doing pretty well, but there are times when I get extremely uncomfortable and I feel like I can actually FEEL the band inside and it's not right... but then again, I don't know how it's supposed to feel since this is all new to me. It might be the gas... it might just be me being nervous. BUT, I'm doing better than what I though I was going to be... and I've finally got it done! I'm down just about 12 pounds already and I can say for once that I don't hate the scale. Well, I hope to get…

Hey all, This site is great, loads of information.:biggrin: I have my first app with dr Kevin Dolan in Perth in November, I dont know if im excited or scared the most. Luckly i have private cover so the repcepionst said within 8wks, I want to loss about 50kgs. Has anyone else used Dr Dolan? Is there anything i can do now b4 operation?:thumbup:

I had lapband on friday November 14, 2008. I am down about 10 lbs. Emma Patterson was my surgeon at Southwest Medical in Vancouver Washington. Is it normal to not lose much at first? And how many of you stayed on liquids for two weeks, I was told two weeks liquids,two weeks pureed and then soft food. What is you experience? Thanks not sure what to expect.

I had my surgery on 11/7 and have lost 16 lbs. since then. I feel pretty good (I still get tired easily), but what bothers me most is the swelling (though no soreness) above the port (I also had a hiatal hernia fixed). My waist was always my smallest part, and though I'm pleased with my weight loss so far, it's uncomfortable when I get dressed that my waistline is bigger than it was pre-surgery. How long does this last?

I have a surgery date of Dec. 16th. I have been reading all of your posts and am trying to learn from your experiences and advise. Not at all excited, just very nervous and scared. Just wanted to say hi!

I haven't been banded yet but want to. I really need the help. I just moved to Bend, ORegon a month ago and I start a new job December 1st. I am not sure what health insurance they have or if it covers any type of weight loss surgery. I don't qualify for benefits until after 90 days. I want to get this process going but am currently low income without insurance. Any help out there? I will be praying, thanks

Peace and Greetings to all. I am new to the site and currently considering the Realize Band. Thanks to all who post and share there journey with us newbies. I look forward to joining you all.

Just wanted to say hello to you all. Just joined lapbandtalk today and thought it would be of great help to me in wanting more information about lap band. I will be reading alot and asking lots of questions. Thanks! Ebonysmom:smile2:

Hi to all you banders, On the 19th November,2008 I received my band but while the doctor operated he also repaired a hiatus hernia. I am still on a Fluid diet but after eating or drinking I have a reflux motion which results in a peculiar noise and then the taste of blood in my throat. Would love to know if anyone else has experienced anything similar.

Hello I'm Alice and new here and looking into getting a lap band. so I'll be reading alot

Hello, I am scheduled to have the proceedure on Dec. 4 and I have some concerns. Does anyone know how much wieght is lost the first month before the 1st fill and has anyone had a tummy tuck? If so, please share your experiences w/me.

I just joined this site to seek advice on selecting a dr.

Hi Everyone; I was banded this Tues.11/25 at The University of Massachusettes Hospital. I am somewhat uncomfortable & tired just as some of the others have posted. I have to say I am glad to have found this site, reading some of the posts has eased my mind and answered some of the questions I have been thinking of since the surgery. Someone had mentioned a group of November fellow banders, I'd like to find them, anyone know how I can get the link? I'm also interested in posting a timeticker & can't seem to figure it out:) Any info would be helpful:)

Hi everyone I live in New York have a wonderful husband and two beautiful boys. I started this journey back in April when a good friend of mine told me she was getting the lap band done. For the past 4 months or so i have been contemplating on whether or not this is something i really want to do, researching many website and just seeing what other people have to say. I went to the informations seminar at NYU on Sept 23, 2008[. Just last week i was able to finally find out from my insurance Empire BCBS POS that i will need the need 6 months supervised medical diet . Now i never really had a pcp and therefore dont have my attempts at WL documented. . I saw my P…

~Hi I am getting banded in November 14th with Dr. Ortiz and would love to hear if anyone was getting banded in November. ~ ~Carrie~

Hello, I am new to using a forum and hoping to have some help. I had lap band surgury in June with great success. I have gone done 8 sizes in pants and now a size sm in shirts which is very nice. The problem "This past week I had a little bit of trouble and choked on a sm piece of chicken. I actually gave myself the hymelick maneuvr via my chest vs the normal way since I was not sure if it would affect the band." Does anyone know if it can affect the band? Also, kinda feel like I have something a little stuck in back of my throat.Its been 3 days now. Eating and drinking ok, but depending on what I eat my chect is kinda of sore, I assume from hitting it kinda hard.

Hello, my name is Danielle and i am from kentucky. I am 20 years old and really looking in to having the lapband surgery done. I wanted to know if there was any other young guns out there besides me? I am very nervous but am going to have a consult with my doctor in december.

Hi everyone! My name is churchmouse and I was just banded last Friday, the 21st of November 2008. I'm 53 years old and wish I had done this years ago. My highest recorded weight at the Dr.'s office was 253. I weighed in at 204 the day of surgery. I'm looking so forward to a new lifestyle and a whole new life. This is the best thing I've ever done for myself. The only pain or problem I've had so far is the sharp upper chest pains associated with gas. I'm talking "take your breath away" pain. Can't wait for that to go away. Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself. Wish me luck, Churchmouse

New here, i've thought about weight loss surgery for 4 years now. Finally decided that it would ultimately benefit my health in the long term. And only my health. This isn't a vanity issue for me. I was NEVER thin. Ever in my life. and I've never had kids either. For the past 4 years much of my apprehension toward the surgery was because I believed I was betraying myself; my appearance. I felt getting the surgery would be final testement of me succumbing to what society bullies one to believe what was acceptably attractive. I'm so much more than my weight. One of them being a rebel. lol.... I was born overweight and for as much as I eat healthy, workout, been on diets a…

I use to joke that if I didn't find work in Florida at least I would be warm and hungry. Now, after being here for 11 years I am warm.. and hungry! Not because I don't have work but because I started my new changed life style. I was "banded" on 11/19 after 2 weeks of dieting. I went from 326 to 309 on that pre-op diet which shrinks the liver. Well, the liver shrank and I was ready to get started on the band but I have found that I have already stalled somewhat in my race to get rid of the extra fat. I weighed 315 upon returning from the operation which must have been caused by the dripping bag of liquid that was stuck into my right hand. That came off in the first week…

Hi folks. I stumbled onto this site tonight and I think that it is great!! I'm a 52 yo male. I work for one of the major railroads as a locomotive engineer. My weight is 376lbs and I'm 6'2''. I have three grown children (31,28 and 27) five grandkids and the most wonderful wife that anyone could ask for. I look forwrd to hearing and sharing stories with all you folks on here. I'm getting the band a week from Thanksgiving.

Hello people! I'm from the Vancouver area and was banded in Mexico by Dr. Rumbaut at the end of August and now need to have my first adjustment. Does anyone here have some recommendations for doctors and, also any general advice? Thanks....

Hello!!! I've been on this site several times during my doctor hunt. I've finally decided to go for it and am having my surgery on April 18th with Dr. Ramos-Kelly. Very nervous and excited. I'm 29 and have been yo-yoing all my life. So hopefully this will help me FINALLY get the weight off and keep it off. I'm very much looking forward to exercising and eating healthy and actually losing the weight and KEEPING IT OFF. Lately at night, I keep having these dreams of myself on a runway modeling different outfits. I CAN'T WAIT!!! Any tips would be great, and well... I'm so happy to be here! :wink_smile:

I am new here and decided to quit lurking and say hello. I am hoping to have surgery. I have done lots of research. I am doing my psych evaluation on Monday. If there is anyone in the Memphis area that may be able to help me with support etc. that would be great. I have had a hard time finding seminars in the area. I contacted a surgeon who sent me an info packet.....yeah. So now what? It just seemed so impersonal to me. I have learned so much already from the forum. Thanks for all the info!

Hello everyone my name is TaMara and I live in Daingerfield Texas. I was banded by Dr R. Keilan in Texarkana. I had my surgery 8am yesterday. And everything went very well. I was extremely sore all of yesterday and last night but today I'm feeling really good. O what a difference a day makes! Thank goodness for Dr Keilan. I have been overweight since I was 9 years old. I've tried many diets and none of the worked for long. But I'm really hopeful that this is going to work for me. I'm focused this time around and I'm going to try my best to see this one through. I got really lucky my insurance paid at 100 percent. The only money I have been out of is 180.00 for the anesthe…

I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I know the New Year is going to bring me something very special and that is a Brand New ME! I just hope I will be able to handle the biggest change of my life. I just got to keep saying to myself I can do this. I get my band on January 8th and my pre-op diet starts in two weeks. Does anyone have any advice for me to get through the holidays?

Hello, I have been reading for a couple of weeks now. I just switched insurance to a insurance company that is going to cover Lapband after the first of the year! i have been waiting 2 years to get some coverage YEAH! I have been overweight most of my adult life, but especially for the last 15 years. 3 years ago i was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes, and i paniced, and got on the ball I weighed 384 and lost over 80 pounds, never got to under 300, but before long, i quit smoking and the weight started slowly coming back, I got back up to 376 pounds, right now i am down to 360 but i know i cannot do that again with out some help, Now my glucose levels are way to high, The …

I've been reading this site for a while and today decided to sign up and post. I, like most here have decided to seriously consider the lap band for my weight loss. I just don't know where to start on finding a good doctor,any advise is welcome. Thanks, Beebi

I've been reading on this board for about 3 weeks now. I figured that I might as well join so I can get involved in the great conversations that are going on. I have struggled with my weight since I was very young. First diet pills were prescribed at the age of 7. So you can say I have dieted my way to where I am now. I decided to have the lap band surgery after doing a lot of research on it. I started dealing with my insurance company and they gave me a long list of hoops to jump through and told me to plan on being denied at least twice before I would be approved. I wasn't going to wait that long. I already have complications beginning and I'm weighing in at abo…

hi all, i'm really interested in getting the lap band surgery. i wanted to get feedback from people who have actually got the surgery to see how painful it is, how much you have lost in how much time etc. if you could let me know it would be much appreciated as i'm thinking of getting it done really soon.

Hi--My name is Joan and I got my band on 11/25. My surgery was at 1:30 and I went home at 6:30. It went great. I am sore today, but I took liquid tylenol and it took the edge off. I hope to get lots of advice on this site.

Hi my name is Vanessa. I am new to this site. I live in NYC I was born in May. I have had a weight problem my whole life. Recently I have gained weight and just have not been able to put it off no matter what I try. I have spend hundreds of dollars on weight management programs like weight watchers, jenny craigs, and thats not including all the money I have spent on nutristionst and gyms. It seems that the more I work out and diet the more weight I put on. Right now I am at a point that I have to consider surgery, thats why I am researching the Lap Band Procedure. I am seeking a doctor in Queens, NY that does the surgery. If any body knows of any please feel free to recom…

Hey all, I'm posting this because the website won't leave me alone until I do...LOL. My wife and I got our lap bands: Her (June 2008) and I (October 2008). She recently got her third band fill, and I got my first. Glad to be a part of the group! It's good to be around people going through the same thing we're going through.

:grouphug: hi fellow sandgropers I was just wondering if there was anyone from busselton I had my banding done by Dr. kierth just wondering if there was anyone close to me banded love to have a chat and compare notes lost 43kgs so far yaahhh:thumbup: love from western australia

Hi All~ My Name is Shantell. I live in Washington State, 24yrs old. Work Full Time, Mommy Full time. I have been lurking on this Site for about 5months... Decided to finally Join. I think this website is great :wub: I am currently in the approval Process required by Insurance to get the Lap Band surgery. Right now I am on month three of six. Medically Supervised Weight Loss aka MSWL. So only three months longer and no other requirements are needed except the obvious pre-op stuff. I enjoy a variety of different activities and Hobbies. Fun, Loud, Outgoing... and so excited to be here. I look forward to Chatting and getting to know you all on here. :wub:

Hi, I am new to this web site. I was banded on Aug 29th and I've lost 26 lbs so far. I've been kind of discouraged because I thought that I would have lost more. I lost 16 the first few weeks. I'm still struggling with hunger but I'm having trouble with food getting stuck. I have had 3 fills so far.